The Old Folks Home

[superchemicalgirl]

You can combine weak hives if the bees are still alive, yes. If your hive is weak you can also requeen.

All my bees died so I had to start fresh with a couple thousand bees and a queen. As long as they don't die of an awful disease you can reuse the hive. The new bees will clean out the dead bodies, but there was probably 60,000 dead bees in each of my hives. I got most of them out because I couldn't stand the thought of "here's your new home, sorry about the dead bodies" and I also want them to start building comb and bringing in pollen and not spend days as undertakers. Our season is too short for that. I don't even have a garden in (just some garlic from fall that's looking really good).

 

[Alaskan]

Some people here in alaska build a three sided shelter for the bee hives....so it is protected from the wind.... I guess it keeps it warmer.

 

[Cynthia12]

I was wondering the other day about how the bees ate during the winter, and thought surely, the beekeeper has the food for them somewhere. Too bad it was too cold for them. Was really disappointed that someone's hive didn't make it through the winter here. Last yr. our Cherry trees and apple trees were alive with buzzing. Not this yr. I saw one honey bee on one of the cherry trees. We have a few cherries, but hardly any. And the apples? Not sure yet..but don't think we will get much on those either. The pear tree is a different story. What's up with that? Glad it's doing well. Seeing quite a few on it.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Yeah I thought if we painted them dark it would be enough, but we looked today about how to wrap them in the fall. Will definitely be doing that this year.

I hived them a different way this year, put extra boxes on the bottom then just placed the package box in that and then the frames on top of that with the queen. It's supposed to be less traumatic than the shake method.

 

[drumstick diva]

dsgard Hope you get the job -

 

[drumstick diva]

Bama did it say what kind of thought leader - as in maybe "BAD" thoughts?

Nowaways everybody gets awards, Like kids who finish all the ice cream in a carton - unfortunately no such prize for adults who do the same.

 

[bamadude]

Lmbo @diva. I hate ice cream

 

[drumstick diva]

Bama love to hear it - MORE for me

 

[bamadude]

I just cant like sweets for some reason

 

[drumstick diva]

Then I'm sorry Bama !